New Waterfront Destination Will Transform With Seasonal Experiences

As the D.C. region’s waterfront landscape evolves with major developments like The Wharf and MGM National Harbor, a dramatic change is coming to Alexandria’s historic waterfront in the fall of 2018. A major new waterfront destination is opening at the intersection of the Potomac River and Alexandria’s most historic retail corridor: King Street Park at the Waterfront. The space will transform throughout the seasons with pop-up programming. Activities being considered for the space include a temporary ice rink, live music, and history and art programming. The new park is the crown jewel of the city’s waterfront plan, which has been decades in the making. Meanwhile, Alexandria-based Potomac Riverboat Company has expanded their D.C.-region water taxi service with new high-speed, low-wake water taxi service from Alexandria’s historic waterfront to The Wharf, southwest D.C.’s new multi-billion-dollar riverfront development. And in 2019, Alexandria will welcome a celebrity tall ship as a permanent attraction: The tall ship Providence, which appears in the Oscar-winning film Master and Commander and international blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean. The full-scale replica of the Continental Navy’s first warship which served under General George Washington will host public tours and history programs while offering regular public cruises including a beer cruise in partnership with Alexandria’s award-winning Port City Brewing Company.

Independent Boutiques Expand with New Concepts

Alexandria’s reputation as the “Shop Small” destination of the D.C. region continues to grow as independent retailers are expanding and opening second concepts in the city. Victoria Vergason, the owner of vintage cocktail-ware boutique The Hour, is fulfilling her dream of launching her own original vintage-inspired made-in-America line, available in the spring of 2018 through a new e-commerce store called The Modern Home Bar, with select products available at The Hour. King Street’s mainstay for home design and gifts, Red Barn Mercantile is celebrating 10 years in 2018, and owner Amy Rutherford was pleased to open Penny Post Paper Goods in October 2017. Coming in February 2018 to King Street, fine art jewelry artist Jennifer Jordan Park is opening Wear Ever Jewelry as a brick-and-mortar location, following 10 years as a fine-craft-show and online concept. Wear Ever Jewelry will represent 20 American artists and offer classes.

Street Food Concepts Serve Up BBQ Tacos, Mac N’ Meat and Pizza By the Slice

Adding to Alexandria’s celebrated dining scene that includes fine dining restaurants and international offerings is a growing trend of creative comfort food and a mini street-food trend. Smoking Kow BBQ, “D.C.’s first and only American BBQ taco food truck,” is opening a brick-and-mortar location in Alexandria’s West End in February 2018, joining Meggrolls as a popular food truck that chose Alexandria for their first restaurant concept. Owner Dylan Kough (last name pronounced “Kow”) was a CPA who left it all behind to pursue his dream of opening a mobile restaurant. In addition to serving American BBQ in taco form, Smoking Kow’s best seller is the Mac ‘N Meat, with Dylan’s signature meats served over gooey mac ‘n cheese. Meanwhile, one of the most highly anticipated restaurant openings of 2018 is the restaurant coming to 100 King Street, steps from the new waterfront plaza coming this fall. Opening in late April, Mia’s Italian Kitchen is the newest concept of Alexandria Restaurant Partners and includes an outdoor take-away window offering pizza by the slice. The dramatic rework of 100 King Street space will also feature a dine-in pizza bar, second floor lounge and a delectable menu of house-made pastas and wood-fired pizza.

Artisanal Sweet Spots Add Alcohol for Can’t-Resist Boozy Desserts

Alexandria has long been known as a dessert destination with nearly 20 artisanal sweets and dessert spots. Now, alcohol-infused treats are making their way onto menus. Triple Craft, which opened in the summer of 2017, offers giant mouthwatering milkshakes garnished with cake frosting, whipped cream, candies, sweet drizzles and cookies. Adult versions include Chocolate Kahlua, Vanilla Bourbon and Strawberry Rum-Amaretto. Sugar Shack Donuts in Alexandria represents the ultimate blending of sweets and spirits as they often have donuts that incorporate Port City Brewing Company’s beer and have a speakeasy, Captain Gregory’s, hidden inside the donut shop.  Argentine-inspired Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato serves up gelato and sorbets in flavors like Malbec (wine) and “Granizado” (stracciatella, white vanilla, cooked with a little rum and woven with melted chocolate). If chocolate is your vice, try Blüprint Chocolatiers, which offers six chocolates with alcohol, including Porto, Grand Mariner and More Whisky, starring the 12 year Cragganmore Scotch Whisky. Additional seasonal flavors range from the Dark & Stormy featuring dark rum to Buffalo Trace for the Kentucky Derby. At Fleurir Chocolates indulge in truffles like the Grand Mariner Orange Blossom, Irish Coffee and Lavender Shiraz. For Father’s Day, try their Bourbon Box with cocktail-inspired truffles like Bourbon Ginger, Old Fashioned and Manhattan.

Hamilton Tours and More at Historic Sites

In 2018, Alexandria’s rich collection of historic site museums present some exclusive tour offerings. Each Saturday during Black History Month, visitors can get a rare look inside the Freedom House Museum with African American history specialists on site. A National Historic Landmark owned by the Northern Virginia Urban League, the museum is located in the basement-level slave pen of one of the most infamous slave trading companies in the country, and bears a connection to the story depicted in the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave. On the evening of May 10th during Preservation Month, history fans will gain rare access to the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, the one of few buildings in existence in the area during the American Revolution. Every other Saturday from June through Labor Day weekend, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum offer a special Hamilton-themed tour in celebration of “Hamilton’s” run at the Kennedy Center. While historians don’t believe Alexander Hamilton visited Alexandria, many of his friends and frenemies did, including Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison and Burr. This tour will examine the stories and politics of Hamilton’s day.

Immersive Experiences at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

In 2018, George Washington’s Mount Vernon opens two experiences that will immerse visitors into George Washington’s world. Launching on February 12, 2018, “Be Washington: It’s Your Turn to Lead” is a new first-person interactive experience that puts you in the shoes of the first president and commander and chief. Discover key moments in Washington’s life and see how you stack up to the decisions Washington made as the events of the Revolutionary War and presidency come alive on a massive 6K-resolution screen. Chris Jackson, the actor who played George Washington in the Broadway hit “Hamilton”, will introduce each of the scenarios onscreen and will later describe the course of action that General or President Washington took. The experience, which is generously sponsored by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, is included in admission. Meanwhile, Mount Vernon reopened its Revolutionary War Theater in December 2017, marking the completion of a year-long $2.2 million renovation to the 4-D theater and an overhaul of the feature film. The theater, which first opened in 2006, features state-of-the-art 4-D effects including snowfall, fog, and rumbling seats to tell the story of General George Washington’s major victories during the American Revolution. With these updates, guests will feel in the midst of the action of the Revolutionary War. The new 17-minute film focuses on the same major battles as its first iteration: Washington’s victories in Boston, Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown. Getting to Mount Vernon is an experience in itself when you choose to boat or bike down.

Connect

VisitAlexandriaVA.com/press

Facebook: VisitAlexandriaVA | Twitter: AlexandriaVA |Instagram: VisitAlexVA | #ExtraordinaryALX

Media Contacts

Claire Mouledoux: 703-652-5367, CMouledoux@VisitAlexVA.com  

Leah Spellman, APR: 703-652-5363, LSpellman@VisitAlexVA.com